A Comparison of Macbeth and Lady MacbethTo understand Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth, it is necessary to fully understand the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The differences between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are profound. Throughout the play, Shakespeare skillfully changes the roles of the two characters. Macbeth is frightened at the beginning and then confident at the end while Lady Macbeth is confident at the beginning and frightened at the end. At the beginning of the play, King Duncan hears about Macbeth, the bloody hero. The battle was horrific, but Macbeth was fearless, cutting his way through the enemy and literally cutting the rebel leader in two. King Duncan is quite impressed by Macbeth's courage. “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! » The audience's first perception of Lady Macbeth is that of a confident and wicked woman. In her first scene, she reads a letter from her husband telling him of the witch's predictions. Upon reading the letter, she instantly decides to obtain the crown for Macbeth by any means possible. “You are Glamis, and Cawdor, and you will be that which is promised to you. » It is these two bold and sure views of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth which will soon be published. to change. Lady Macbeth forces Macbeth to murder Duncan and when he initially refuses, she appeals to his manhood and courage. “When you dared to do it, then you were a man. » Macbeth finally gives in with the proposition that being king is too powerful a lure for him. him. At this point, the audience can infer that Macbeth is easily persuasive while Lady Macbeth is very persuasive. As the fateful day approaches, Macbeth becomes delusional, imagining visions of bloodstained daggers, witches, and ghosts. Kill...... middle of paper ......n Women reading Shakespeare 1660-1900. Ann Thompson and Sasha Roberts, eds. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1997. Kings and Queens of Scotland Eileen Dunlop and Anthony Kamm, 1984 Knights, LC “Macbeth.” Shakespeare: The Tragedies. A collection of critical essays. Alfred Harbage, ed. England Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964. Mack, Maynard. Shakespeare for everyone: reflections mainly on tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993. Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Macbeth. http://chemicool.com/Shakespeare/macbeth/full.html, without linen.Siddons, Sarah. “Memoranda: Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth. » The Life of Mrs. Siddons. Thomas Campbell. London: Effingham Wilson, 1834. Rpt. in Women Reading Shakespeare 1660-1900. Ann Thompson and Sasha Roberts, eds. Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press, 1997.